| 9. Distinctive Voices:
|
Otis White, founder and president of Civic Strategies Inc., an Atlanta-based public policy consulting company, writes a regular column, Urban Notebook, for the Governing Magazine web site. White provides his take on a range of interesting things happening in our cities. Past columns can be easily accessed. In the interest of full disclosure, White has written several articles for the Planning Commissioners Journal, on community leadership and economic development.
Washington Post syndicated national columnist Neal Peirce offers weekly insights on urban issues. Peirce is a founder of the National Journal, and former political editor (1960-69) of Congressional Quarterly. Peirce's writing is clear and crisp, his topics always interesting. If you're not familiar with Peirce's column, I strongly urge you to take a look at some of his past columns.
Activist Al Norman, host of the Sprawl-Busters web site, is an activist with a mission: fighting Wal-Mart and big box stores. Even if you have no problems with Wal-Mart, Norman's prime target, it's interesting to see what one dedicated individual can do on a shoe-string budget.
Journalist, author, and civic "rabble-rouser" James Howard Kunstler offers many sharp observations about what he considers the sorry state of architecture, planning, and urban design in America. While Kunstler is often harsh in his commentary, it's worth hearing what he has to say (especially when, by looking around us, we can see there's good support for many of his views).
David Sucher is a Seattle-based writer who considers himself "mildly libertarian." He wrote a book chock full of insights on the urban environment, City Comforts. You can read excerpts from his book, and also visit his web blog.
The Planetizen web site (recommended earlier) includes another excellent feature: weekly op-ed articles on a wide range of planning issues. At the end of each article, readers can post their comments. You'll usually read something that will get you thinking.
|
|
Take a break from your Web research
-- try our online jigsaw puzzles
Subscribe to the Planning Comm'rs Journal, called "the most valuable publication for the citizen commissioner" * and "the 'must have' publication for planning commissioners and elected officials" ** * William E. Moore, Jr., Director, Virginia Citizens Planning Association **Connie Cooper, FAICP, Past National President of the American Planning Ass'n |
